Kedesh(kishion)
“Sanctuary, or holy place”
Summary
The name of several biblical cities, most notably Kedesh-Naphtali, a city of refuge in Galilee that served as the home of Barak and the gathering place for his army against Sisera.
☩Kedesh-Naphtali
The most prominent Kedesh was a fortified city in the territory of Naphtali, also called Kedesh in Galilee. It was one of the original Canaanite royal cities conquered by Joshua and was appointed as one of the six cities of refuge where those who accidentally killed someone could flee for protection. The name meaning "sanctuary" suggests it was a holy place of great antiquity, which may explain its selection as a city of refuge. It was assigned to the Gershonite Levites as one of their dwelling places. The site has been identified with the modern village of Kades, located on hills west of Lake Huleh, featuring extensive ruins apparently of Roman origin along with ancient sarcophagi.
☩Connection to Deborah and Barak
Kedesh was the residence of Barak, the judge who with the prophetess Deborah defeated the Canaanite forces under Sisera. It was at Kedesh that Barak assembled the warriors of Zebulun and Naphtali before the conflict, choosing this holy place as the rallying point for the struggle "for Jehovah among the mighty." Near Kedesh was the oak of Zaananim where Heber the Kenite had pitched his tent, and it was in this tent that his wife Jael killed Sisera after the battle. Since the 12th century, the site has been reputed to contain the graves of Deborah, Barak, Jael, and Heber.
☩Later History
Kedesh was among the cities depopulated by the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III during the reign of Pekah of Israel, when he carried away the inhabitants into captivity. In later times, the city belonged to the Tyrians, lying on the border between Galilee and Tyre. It was here that Jonathan Maccabeus gained a significant victory over the forces of Demetrius. The prophet Habakkuk was reportedly buried at this location according to early Christian tradition.
☩Other Cities Named Kedesh
Two other towns bore this name. One was located in the extreme southern portion of Judah's territory, possibly identical with Kadesh-barnea. Another Kedesh was a Levitical city in the territory of Issachar, also called Kishion in some passages, assigned to the Gershonite Levites.
Related Verses14 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Kedesh," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Kedesh (1)," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Kedesh," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Kedesh," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).